Health Care Systems Try to Cut Costs by Aiding the Poor and Troubled - NYTimes.com
Scientists Seek Ban on Method of Editing the Human Genome - NYTimes.com
Video: NSF Gearing Up to Boost Women in Science - The Chronicle of Higher Education
Interview with the head of NSF on women in science.
The current event i read was the trying to cut cost by aiding the poor and troubled. This article was very interesting. The idea of this research is to help poor or individuals who are dealing with the disease of addiction come to the ER for a place to stay when cold or when needing to sober up. The idea of having a place for these individuals to go rather then going to the ER is beneficial because the article said like it is hundreds of dollars for each person who visits the ER. This would cut down on spending in health care which is the goal of this research. The new system that is being used is giving people a place to go to sober up that is not the emergency room saves money for healthcare. Through this research it has helped fine placement for these individuals in housing to help them achieve success with there health. The article explained that the short-term goals of this plan are not showing any change in cutting the cost of healthcare, however, the researchers are hopeful that the long term effects on the cost with be great. I feel strongly something like this model would help the poor and people dealing with diseases of addition because during our mental health clinical many of the people suffer from addition are repeat visitors to the hospital and their care can be taken to a place that is cheaper and receive more long term care. Hopefully more hospitals can figure out a plan to help hospitals save money and treat these individuals accordingly to help better their care.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
DeleteI completely agree with you. Sure, like it was said, the short term is not showing as much money saved as would hope, but long term goals I believe will. Just another idea that has to get off the ground running before the plan is fully in affect. The idea of providing another place of care other than the ER was very interesting. This way they can get help even if it isn't in the ER.
I agree, this is an interesting article. A precursor area to the ER does sound like a nice thing to have. It just doesn't sound like something that'll work out in the long haul. Addiction is a big problem that is prevalent within the impoverished community. There's bound to be 'repeating' patients (i.e., Jerome Pate) who come in multiple times over a small period of time. I'm just currently having a hard understanding as to how they're going to house/sustain all of those 'repeating' patients when those patients come at irregular intervals.
DeleteEmily,
DeleteI completely agree with what you have said. The homeless really need help and the hospital ER can only provide so much help to the homeless before they have to discharge them and they go to the streets. Another note, it isn't far for the people who really do need help. A homeless man who needs a warm bed to sleep or shelter from hot or cold is using one of the beds that someone who is in need of actual help. That's not far for the person in need of medical attention. I hope that this program that was put in place at Minneapolis works to help the homeless and prevent frequent ER visits.
After read the article from the New York Times about Health Care Systems providing aid to the homeless and uninsured. After reading this, I have mixed emotions about how to solve this growing problem. As a nursing student, I want to provide the best care possible to every patient. Nurses have to be nonjudgmental towards patients and provide care equally. This could be frustrating when you have the same patient come into the ER 17 times in 4 months will more or less the same issue. In health care they are called frequent fliers, meaning certain patients are in and out of the hospital a lot. You begin to know them on a first name basis. I am advocating for my patients to get help or receive treatment but at what cost to me. My parents work hard and have insurance and can provide for my family. But is it far that when i have an actual emergency and i have to come to the ER and pay like a $200-$300 copay to be seen or get help. But a homeless man can walk in drunk and get help more or less for free because the government and the hospital will pay for it.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, I am in support of helping the homeless people find help so they don't flock to the ER for shelter, food, or a warm place to sleep. I think what they are doing in Minneapolis is great and wonderful. Getting the homeless off the street and helping them rebuild their life so they don't flock to the ER for basic assistance.
Hey Lauren!
DeleteI agree with you about wanting to provide the best care possible to every patient and to be nonjudgmental toward patients when a patient needs care. In the case of the homeless using the ED as a place to go for every reason, I feel it is our (as in the healthcare system) responsibility to research and develop an alternate method of care to this part of the community. Fixing the problems of this population to "eliminate avoidable hospital use" will ultimately decrease this "growing problem" and end up saving money and trips to the ER. After all, we as nurses and healthcare providers preach on prevention but do not have such resources for these individuals.
I read the article "Scientists Seek Ban on Method of Editing the Human Genome" from the New York Times. In this article, biologists voice their fear of the advancement of a new gene editing technique being used before the safety can be assessed. This technique could have the ability to cure genetic disease while also giving the possibility to enhance qualities such as beauty or intelligence. I agree with Dr. Jaenisch, saying "you have to have this discussion because people are gearing up to do this.". With this type of technique discovered and the technology to be able to follow through and test this on humans, it is just a matter of time before scientists begin to do so. Parameters need to be set up and safety needs to be assessed if agreed to proceed with such research. I personally do not disagree with such methods of genome editing to cure disease, and feel that research on this subject could lead to great findings. I believe this, just like anything else, needs parameters, researching cures for disease first. I think that if starts as editing to cure disease, parameters or not, it wouldn't stop there.
ReplyDeleteI am highly intrigued by the new-found use of modified poliovirus as therapy for glioblastoma, so I wanted to share several links from various years on the topic. It's always a good idea to read about the same topic from several different sources, so I wanted to share some links to help anyone else who is interested to get off to a good start.
ReplyDeletehttp://abcnews.go.com/Health/polio-shrinks-womans-brain-tumor/story?id=19688955
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polio-cancer-treatment-duke-university-60-minutes-scott-pelley/
http://www.kgw.com/story/news/health/2015/03/30/polio-injections-could-thwart-some-cancers/70703080/
https://www.dukemedicine.org/blog/brain-tumor-research-featured-people-magazine
http://www.cancer.duke.edu/btc/modules/Research3/index.php?id=41
I posted this here, not to deter from the other topics in discussion, but to add to the current events discussion. I find it to be a very interesting topic, with a lot of ethical controversy.
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